Protective housing for a mobile device

ABSTRACT

A housing of a device comprises a screw boss that extends outwardly from a first base plate proximate to a corner of the housing. Additionally, the housing of the device includes a force dissipation member. The force dissipation member includes a central portion that is sized to detachably attach around the screw boss. The force dissipation member further includes at least two arms that extend outwardly from the central portion, wherein each arm of the at least two arms is attached to a different side of the two walls of the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/534,099, filed Aug. 7, 2019, titled “A Protective Housing For AMobile Device,” the contents of each of which is incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to aprotective housing and, more particularly, to a protective housingconfigured to dissipate a force.

BACKGROUND

A typical device, for example, an electronic device is usually enclosedwithin a housing. The housing may be designed to protect variouscomponents of the electronic device from external particulates andexternal forces (that may damage the electronic device). For example,the housing may protect the components from external forces that may actupon the housing of the electronic device in an instance in which theelectronic device is accidentally dropped.

Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problemsassociated with conventional a protective housing for mobile device.Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of theseidentified problems have been solved by developing solutions that areincluded in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples ofwhich are described in detail herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a housing for a devicecomprising a screw boss that extends out from a first base plate of thehousing and is proximate to a corner of the housing. Further, thehousing includes a force dissipation member that includes a centralportion sized to detachably attach around the screw boss. The forcedissipation member further comprises at least two arms that extendoutwardly from the central portion, wherein each arm of the at least twoarms is attachable to different walls of two walls defining the corner.The force dissipation member is configured to dissipate a force that isreceived at the corner along the at least two arms and to the two wallsof the housing.

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a device comprising ahousing. The housing includes a first base plate. Further, the housingincludes a corner defined by two walls, wherein the two walls extendoutwardly from the first base plate. Additionally, the housing includesa screw boss that is proximate to the corner and extends outwardly fromthe first base plate in a same direction as the two walls. Furthermore,the housing includes a force dissipation member that includes a centralportion disposable around the screw boss. The force dissipation memberfurther includes at least two arms that extend outwardly from thecentral portion, wherein each arm of the at least two arms is attachedto a different side of the two walls of the housing. The forcedissipation member is configured to dissipate a force that is receivedat the corner along the at least two arms and to the two walls of thehousing.

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a force dissipationmember comprising a central portion. further, the force dissipationmember includes at least two arms extending outwardly from the centralportion. The central portion of the force dissipation member isreceivable around a screw boss of a housing. The at least two arms areconfigured to be attached to two walls of the housing. The forcedissipation member is configured to dissipate a force that is receivedat the central portion of the force dissipation member along the atleast two arms and to the two walls of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read inconjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated thatfor simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to otherelements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosureare shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment where a device may be used,according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a first cover of a housing, accordingto one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a portion of the first cover, accordingto one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the portion of the first cover,according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a modular wall latch,according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of a wall of the housing havingreceived the modular wall latch, according to one or more embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view a force dissipation member,according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of the force dissipation member,according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a second cover of a housing, accordingto one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary scenario depicting a dissipation offorce in the housing, according to one or more embodiments describedherein;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective of a casing apparatus for the device,according to one or more embodiments described herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective of a third cover of the casingapparatus, according to one or more embodiments described herein; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a fourth cover of the casingapparatus, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, thesedisclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.Terminology used in this patent is not meant to be limiting insofar asdevices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached orutilized in other orientations.

The term “comprising” means including but not limited to, and should beinterpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context.Use of broader terms such as “comprises,” “includes,” and “having”should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as“consisting of,” “consisting essentially of,” and “comprisedsubstantially of.”

The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and thelike generally mean that the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic following the phrase may be included in at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure, or may be included in more thanone embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations.

If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,”“could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,”“optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other suchlanguage) be included or have a characteristic, that particularcomponent or feature is not required to be included or to have thecharacteristic. Such component or feature may be optionally included insome embodiments, or it may be excluded.

It is commonly understood that devices (e.g., a mobile device, a barcodescanner, an imager, a dimensioner, a handle for mobile computers, and/orthe like) can be and frequently are dropped resulting, in some examples,in damage to the device. In some examples, particular types of droppingevents may result in more damage than others, for instance when a deviceis dropped and it lands on one of the corners of the device.

In some examples, an impact with respect to one of the corners can bemore damaging than an impact with respect to another portion (e.g., thewalls of the housing) of the device. Such an impact is potentially moredamaging given that the surface area of the corner is much less incomparison to the other portions of the housing. Accordingly force perunit area (applied by the external force) is greater in the corners ofthe housing in comparison to the other portions of the housing (e.g.,walls of the housing). Therefore, the external force acting on thecorners of the housing may have greater potential of damaging thehousing in comparison to an instance when an external force acts on thewalls of the housing. Moreover, in some examples, such external forces(e.g., an external force that is acting on the corners of the housing)may create dents in the housing, which may, in some examples, causedamage to components enclosed within the housing.

The apparatuses described herein are therefore configured to rely onforce dissipation members within the housing to dissipate externalforces that may act on a device that is placed within the housing in aninstance in which the device is accidentally or intentionally dropped.In some examples, these force dissipation members may be positionedproximate to the corners of the housing to dissipate the external forceacting on the corners of the housing. For example, the force dissipationmembers may dissipate the external force acting on the corners of thehousing by dissipating the force through the force dissipation membersand to the walls of the housing. Accordingly, in some examples, thedamage to housing is advantageously reduced or otherwise avoided whenthe device lands on a corner.

Specifically, in some example embodiments, the apparatuses describedherein correspond to a housing or casing of a device (e.g., a mobiledevice, a barcode scanner, an imager, a dimensioner, and/or the like).The housing may include a first base plate on which various componentsof the device may be mounted in a defined configuration. The housing mayfurther include a plurality of walls that extend outwardly from thefirst base plate of the housing. In some examples, the plurality ofwalls may extend outwardly from the edges of the first base plate.Further, the plurality of walls may extend outwardly from the first baseplate in a first direction so as to form a structure that is configuredto receive a device therein. In an example embodiment, the plurality ofwalls of the housing define a plurality of corners of the housing. Insome examples, a corner of the housing may be defined as a region wheretwo walls of the plurality of walls of the housing meet.

The housing further includes a screw boss that extends outwardly fromthe first base plate of the housing in the same direction as theplurality of walls and is located proximal to, but spaced apart from, acorner of the housing. In some examples, the screw boss may be definedwithin the housing and may be attached to the corner of the housingthrough one or more ribs. In other example embodiments, the screw bossmay be molded as part of the housing and/or may be attached or otherwisecoupled to the housing.

In an example embodiment, the first base plate, the plurality of walls,the screw boss and the one or more ribs may be molded as a singlestructure, whereas in other example embodiments they may be molded orotherwise attached together. For example, in some examples, the firstbase plate and the plurality of walls are molded together as a singlestructure. Whereas, in alternative embodiments, the screw boss and theone or more ribs are molded separately and, may, be attached to thefirst base plate using adhesives or other coupling means such as weldingand/or the like.

In an example embodiment, the one or more ribs may correspond tofeatures that extend outwardly from the screw boss in a directiontowards the plurality of walls such that the one or more ribs may attachthe screw boss with a wall of the two walls proximate to the screw boss.

Further, the housing may include one or more wall latches that extendinwardly from the two walls of the plurality of walls. The one or morewall latches are located proximal to the screw boss and are spaced apartfrom the one or more ribs. In some examples, the one or more walllatches are molded together with the different walls of the two walls.Alternatively or additionally, the one or more wall latches may bemolded separately and may be attached to different walls of the twowalls during assembly of the device using adhesives or other couplingmeans such as welding and/or the like.

In some examples, the screw boss is configured to receive a forcedissipation member. In an example embodiment, the force dissipationmember includes a central portion and at least two arms that extendoutwardly from the central portion. In some examples, the at least twoarms are attached to the central portion in such a manner that the atleast two arms and the central portion together generally form an arc.The central portion of the force dissipation member is configured to bedisposed around the screw boss. Further, the at least two arms arefixedly attached to the one or more wall latches on the two walls.

In an example scenario and when the device falls on the corner and theexternal force acts on the corner, the external force is transferred tothe force dissipation member through the one or more ribs. Thereafter,the force dissipation member may redirect the force to the two walls(that define the corner) of the housing through the at least two arms ofthe force dissipation member. Accordingly, the damage to the device dueto external forces (generated when the device is accidentally dropped)is reduced.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment 100 where a device 102 maybe used, according to one or more embodiments described herein. Theexemplary environment 100 may include the device 102, a user 104, rack105 and one or more objects 108 placed on the rack 105.

The device 102 may include one or more components, circuitry, softwaremodules, and/or the like that may enable the device 102 to perform apredetermined operation in the exemplary environment 100. For example,the user 104 may utilize the device 102 to scan the one or more objects108 to obtain information pertaining to the one or more objects 108. Inan example embodiment, the device 102 may include an image capturingdevice 112 that may enable the device 102 to capture an image of abarcode 110 on the one or more objects 108 and accordingly, obtain theinformation pertaining to the one or more objects 108 by decoding thebarcode 110. Further, the device 102 may include a communication module(not shown) that may enable the device 102 to transmit the informationpertaining to the one or more objects 108 to a remote computer.Furthermore, the device 102 may include a display screen 114 that maydisplay a user interface (UI) to the user 104. The user 104 may controlthe operation of the device 102 based on inputs provided through the UIdisplayed on the display screen 114. Further, the display screen 114 maybe configured to display the information pertaining to the one or moreobjects 108.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to thedevice 102 comprising the image capturing device 112, the communicationmodule, and the display screen 114. In an example embodiment, the device102 may include other electronic and mechanical components that enablethe device 102 to perform other operations, without departing from thescope of the disclosure.

In an example embodiment, the device 102 has a housing 106 that may beconfigured to partially or fully enclose the device 102. For example,the housing 106 may be configured to partially or fully enclose thecommunication module, the display screen 114, and the image capturingdevice 112. In an example embodiment, the housing 106 may include afirst cover 118 and a second cover 120. The first cover 118 may beattached to the second cover 120 through one or more coupling memberssuch as, but are not limited to, screws, nuts, bolts, adhesive, and/orthe like, to form the housing 106. In some examples, the housing 106 mayformed of a single contiguous cover, without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure. The structure of the housing 106 is further described inconjunction with FIGS. 2-7.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view 200 of a first cover 118 of the housing106, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In anexample embodiment, the first cover 118 may include a first base plate204, a plurality of walls 206 a, 206 b, 206 c, and 206 d, a plurality ofcorners 208 a, 208 b, 208 c, and 208 d, and plurality of screw bosses210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d.

The first base plate 204 may correspond to a plastic plate, a metalplate, or combination thereof, on which the one or more components ofthe device 102 may be mounted. In some examples, the first base plate204 may have a plurality of edges 212 a, 212 b, 212 c, and 212 d. Fromeach edge (e.g., edge 212 a) of the plurality of edges 212 a, 212 b, 212c, and 212 d, a wall (e.g., 206 a) may extend outwardly in a firstdirection (depicted by 214). In some examples, the plurality of walls206 a, 206 b, 206 c, and 206 d may be molded together with the firstbase plate 204. In an alternate embodiment, the plurality of walls 206a, 206 b, 206 c, and 206 d may be molded separately from the first baseplate 204, and may be attached to the first base plate 204. For example,the plurality of walls 206 a, 206 b, 206 c, and 206 d may be attached tothe first base plate 204 using adhesives or other coupling means such aswelding, and/or the like. In some examples, the plurality of walls 206a, 206 b, 206 c, and 206 d are configured to extend outwardly from thefirst base plate 204 so as to surround and/or otherwise retain a device,such as device 102.

In an example embodiment, two walls (e.g., the wall 206 a and the wall206 b) of the plurality of walls 206 a, 206 b, 206 c, and 206 d maydefine a corner (e.g., 208 a) of the plurality of corners 208 a, 208 b,208 c, and 208 d of the housing 106. In some examples, the corner (e.g.,corner 208 a) of the housing 106 may be defined as a region where thetwo walls (e.g., the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b) of the plurality ofwalls 206 a, 206 b, 206 c, and 206 d meet with each other. For example,the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b meet to define the corner 208 a.Similarly, the wall 206 b and the wall 206 c meet to define the corner208 b.

Proximate to each corner of the plurality of corners 208 a 208 b, 208 c,and 208 d, a screw boss of the plurality of screw bosses 210 a, 210 b,210 c, and 210 d may extend outwardly from the first base plate 204 in asame direction as that of the plurality of walls 206 a, 206 b, 206 c,and 206 d (i.e., along the first direction depicted by 214). Forexample, the screw boss 210 a may extend outwardly from the first baseplate 204 proximate to but separated from the corner 208 a.

In some examples, the screw boss 210 a may be molded together with thefirst cover 118 such that the screw boss 210 a may extend from the firstbase plate 204 proximate to, but spaced apart, from the corner 208 a. Inan alternate embodiment, the screw boss 210 a may be molded separatelyfrom the first cover 118 and may be attached to the first cover 118. Forexample, the screw boss 210 a may be attached to the first base plate204 using adhesives or other coupling means such as welding, and/or thelike. The structure of the screw boss 210 a is further described inconjunction with FIG. 4.

For purpose of ongoing description, the structure of the first cover118, proximate to the corner 208 a, is described. However, it may beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the structure of the firstcover 118 proximate to other corners (208 b, 208 c, and 208 d) of thehousing 106, is same as the structure of the first cover 118 proximateto the corner 208 a.

In an example embodiment, the first cover 118 may further define one ormore ribs 216 a and 216 b, and a supporting member 218. The one or moreribs 216 a and 216 b, and the supporting member 218 may extend outwardlyfrom the screw boss 210 a in a direction towards the two walls (e.g.,the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b) of the plurality of walls 206 a, 206b, 206 c, and 206 d. In some examples, the one or more ribs 216 a and216 b may additionally or alternatively extend out from the screw boss210 a such that the one or more ribs 216 a and 216 b may attach to thescrew boss 210 a and the different walls of the two walls (e.g., thewall 206 a and the wall 206 b) that define the corner 208 a.

Further, the rib 216 a may be orthogonal to the rib 216 b. In an exampleembodiment, the two walls (e.g., the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b), thescrew boss 210 a and the one or more ribs 216 a and 216 b are moldedtogether. In an alternate embodiment, the one or more ribs 216 a and 216b may be molded as separate components and may be attached to the screwboss and the different walls of the two walls (e.g., the wall 206 a andthe wall 206 b) using adhesives or other coupling means such as welding,and/or the like.

Similar to the one or more ribs 216 a and 216 b, the first cover 118 maydefine additional ribs proximate to other corners (e.g., the corner 208b, 208 c, and 208 d) of the housing 106. For example, the rib 216 c andthe rib 216 d may extend outwardly from the screw boss 210 b in adirection towards two walls 206 b and 206 c, respectively. In someexamples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to having two ribs(as is illustrated in FIG. 2). In an example embodiment, more than tworibs may extend out from the first base plate 204 to attach to the screwboss 210 a and to the two walls 206 a and 206 b.

Further, in some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited toone or more ribs 216 a and 216 b that extend out from the screw boss 210a to attach the screw boss 210 a to the different walls of the two walls(e.g., the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b). In an alternate embodiment,the one or more ribs 216 a and 216 b may extend out from the screw boss210 a to attach the screw boss 210 a with the corner 208 a. One sucharrangement is illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of aportion of the first cover 118 depicting a single rib 302 that isattached to the screw boss 210 a and to the corner 208 a.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the supporting member 218 may extend out fromthe screw boss 210 a in a direction towards diagonally opposite corner208 c. In some examples, the supporting member 218 may be furtherattached to the first base plate 204. In an example embodiment, an anglebetween the supporting member 218 and a rib (e.g., the rib 216 a) of theone or more ribs 216 a and 216 b may be 135 degrees. In some examples,the supporting member 218 may be configured to provide structuralsupport to the screw boss 210 a. For example, the supporting member 218does not allow the screw boss 210 a to bend or succumb to a force (thatmay act on the screw boss 210 a) during assembly of the device 102 orwhile operating the device 102.

In an example embodiment, the supporting member 218 may be moldedtogether with the first cover 118 and the screw boss 210 a. In analternate embodiment, the supporting member 218 may be molded as aseparate component and may be attached to the screw boss 210 a and thefirst base plate 204 using adhesives or any other known couplingtechniques such as welding, and/or the like.

In an example embodiment, the first cover 118 further includes one ormore wall latches 220 a and 220 b that may extend outwardly thedifferent walls of the two walls (e.g., the wall 206 a and the wall 206b) in a direction perpendicular to the two walls (e.g., the wall 206 aand the wall 206 b). For example, the wall latch 220 a may extendoutwardly from the wall 206 a in the direction perpendicular to the wall206 a and towards the wall 206 c opposite to the wall 206 a. In someexamples, the one or more wall latches 220 a and 220 b are moldedtogether with the first cover 118 such that the two walls (e.g., thewall 206 a and the wall 206 b) are molded together with the one or morewall latches 220 a and 220 b. The structure of the one or more walllatches 220 a and 220 b is further described in conjunction with FIG. 4.In an alternate embodiment, the one or more wall latches 220 a and 220 bmay be molded as separate component and may be attached to the two walls(e.g., the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b) using adhesives or any otherknown coupling techniques such as welding, and/or the like. Thestructure one or more wall latches 220 a and 220 b, as a separatecomponent, is described later in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the portion of the first cover118 depicting the corner 208 a, according to one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the screw boss 210 a mayhave a cylindrical shape and have a first end 402, a second end 404, anouter surface 406, a top surface 408 located at the second end 404, andan inner surface 410. The screw boss 210 a may extend between the firstend 402 and the second end 404 such that the first end 402 is attachedwith the first base plate 204 of the first cover 118, and the second end404 of the screw boss 210 a is distal from the first base plate 204.

In some example embodiments, the second end 404 of the screw boss 210 ahas the top surface 408 and an inner surface 410. In an exampleembodiment, the top surface 408 of the screw boss 210 a defines anopening 409 to a recess 412. The recess 412 is further defined by theinner surface 410 and extends from the second end 404 of the screw boss210 a through the screw boss 210 a and to the first end 402 of the screwboss 210 a. In alternate embodiment, the recess 412 may extend to alocation proximal to the first end 402 of the screw boss 210 a.

In some examples, the inner surface 410 of the screw boss 210 a maydefine helical ramps 411 angled at a defined pitch. In an exampleembodiment, the helical ramps 411 may protrude outwardly from the innersurface 410 of the screw boss 210 a. In an alternate embodiment, thehelical ramps 411 may extend inwardly from the inner surface 410 of thescrew boss 210 a. In an example embodiment, the helical ramps 411 may beconfigured to allow a screw, having complementary ramps to that of thehelical ramps 411, to be received in the screw boss 210 a.

In an example embodiment, rib 216 a may have a first end 414, a secondend 416, a third end 418, and a fourth end 420. As discussed, the rib216 a may extend out from the outer surface 406 of the screw boss 210 asuch that a junction between the rib 216 a and the screw boss 210 adefines the third end 418 of the rib 216 a. As discussed above, the rib216 a is attached to the wall 206 a. In an example embodiment, ajunction between the rib 216 a and the wall 206 a defines the fourth end420 of the rib 216 a. Further, as discussed, the rib 216 a is coupled tothe first base plate 204. In some examples, a junction between the rib216 a and the first base plate 204 defines the first end 414 of the rib216 a. In some examples, the second end 416 is distal from the firstbase plate 204.

In an example embodiment, a height of the rib 216 a may be less than aheight of the screw boss 210 a. In an example embodiment, the structureof the rib 216 b (not illustrated in FIG. 4) may be similar to that ofrib 216 a. Further, the height of the rib 216 b may be same as theheight of the rib 216 a.

In an example embodiment, the wall latch 220 a has a base portion 422and a rod portion 424. The base portion 422 of the wall latch 220 aextends from a first end 426 of the wall latch 220 a to an intermediateend 428. In some examples, the first end 426 of the wall latch 220 maybe molded as part of or otherwise attached to the first base plate 204.In an example embodiment, the base portion 422 of the wall latch 220 afurther has a third end 432 and a fourth end 434. In an exampleembodiment, the third end 432 of the base portion 422 may be molded aspart of or otherwise attached to the wall 206 b, while the fourth end434 of the base portion 422 is distal from the wall 206 b. In someexamples, a height of the base portion 422 is same as the height of theone or more ribs 216 a and 216 b.

In an example embodiment, the rod portion 424 of the wall latch 220 aextends outwardly from the intermediate end 428 along the firstdirection, depicted by 214. The rod portion 424 may be positionedproximal to the fourth end 434 of the base portion 422, and distal fromthe third end 432 of the base portion 422.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the oneor more wall latches 220 a and 220 b being molded as part of the housing106. In an alternative embodiment, as discussed above, the one or morewall latches 220 a and 220 b may be separate components that may beattached to the housing 106 using adhesives or other coupling means suchas welding, and/or the like. The wall latch is further described in FIG.5A and FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of modular wall latch 502,according to one or more embodiments described herein. In an exampleembodiment, the modular wall latch 502 has a structure that is similarto the wall latch 220 a, except that the third end 432 of the modularwall latch 502 is attached to a U-shaped coupler 504. In some examples,the U-shaped coupler 504 may be configured to slidingly engage with aprotrusion on a wall (e.g., the wall 206 a) of the housing 106. In someexamples, the U-shaped coupler 504 may be configured to be slidinglyreceived on the wall (e.g., the wall 206 a) directly. For example, theU-shaped coupler 504 may be received along the width of the wall 206 a.

FIG. 5B illustrates a portion of the housing 106 depicting the modularwall latch 502 attached to the wall 206 a, according to one or moreembodiments described herein. Referring to FIG. 5B, the wall 206 a has awidth that enables sliding engagement with the U-shaped coupler 504(defined at the third end 432 of the modular wall latch 502), therebycoupling the modular wall latch 502 to the housing 106.

In some examples, the U-shaped coupler has been depicted forillustrative purposes. In an example embodiment, the modular wall latch502 may be attached to the wall 206 a using other means such asadhesive, welding, or any other type of coupling mechanism, withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

Referring back to FIG. 2, each screw boss of the plurality of screwbosses 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d may be configured to receive aforce dissipation member 222. The force dissipation member 222 is acomponent that may be configured to dissipate force either through othercomponents in the device 102, or by converting the force into otherforms of energy. For example, the force dissipation member 222 mayconvert force into electrical energy. In such a scenario, the forcedissipation member 222 may include an electromagnet or a piezoelectricmaterial that may facilitate conversion of the force into electricalenergy. In some examples, the force dissipation member 222 may bepositioned in the housing 106 of the device 102. In another example, theforce dissipation member 222 may be positioned external to the housing106 of the device 102, as is further described in conjunction with FIGS.9-11. An example of the force dissipation member 222 may include, but isnot limited to, a leaf spring. The structure of the force dissipationmember 222 is further described in conjunction with FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate a perspective view and a top view of theforce dissipation member 222, respectively, according to one or moreembodiments described herein. In an example embodiment, the forcedissipation member 222 includes a central portion 602, at least two arms604 a and 604 b, and at least two wall latch portions 606 a, and 606 b.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the force dissipation member 222 defines a centralportion 602 in shape of an annular ring. In some examples, the centralportion 602 has an outer surface 608 and an inner surface 610. Further,the central portion 602 has a first end portion 612 and a second endportion 614. The first end portion 612 and the second end portion 614are spaced apart from each other along an axis 616. In an exampleembodiment, the axis 616 may correspond to a central axis of the forcedissipation member 222 that passes through a center of the centralportion 602 and is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 617 of the forcedissipation member 222.

In some examples, the at least two arms 604 a and 604 b may extendoutwardly from the outer surface 608 such that the central portion 602and the at least two arms 604 a and 604 b forms an arc 613, such as isshown in FIG. 6B. In an example embodiment, each arm of the at least twoarms 604 a and 604 b has a first end 621 and a second end 623. The firstend 621 of the at least two arms 604 a and 604 b may be molded as partof or otherwise attached to the outer surface 608 of the central portion602. The second end 623 of the at least two arms 604 a and 604 b is maybe molded as part of or otherwise attached to the at least two walllatch portions 606 a, and 606 b, respectively.

In an example embodiment, the at least two wall latch portions 606 a,and 606 b have similar structures. In an example embodiment, the forcedissipation member 222 define the wall latch portion 606 a in a shape ofan annular ring at the second end 623 of the arms 604 a. The wall latchportion 606 a has an outer surface 618 and an inner surface 620. Furtherthe wall latch portion 606 a has a first end 622 and a second end 624.The first end 622 of the wall latch portion 606 a is spaced apart fromthe second end 624 of the wall latch portion 606 a along the axis 608.In some examples, the first end 622 of the wall latch portion 606 a andthe first end portion 604 of the central portion 602 are coplanar.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in an example embodiment, the forcedissipation member 222 is configured to be received on the screw boss210 a such that the central portion 602 of force dissipation member 222is received around the screw boss 210 a. In some examples, the innersurface 612 of the central portion 602 of the force dissipation member222 abuts the outer surface 406 of the screw boss 210 a. Further, thefirst end portion 604 of the central portion 602 abuts the supportingmember 218, and the one or more ribs 216 a and 216 b.

In an example embodiment, the at least two wall latch portions 606 a and606 b are received around the rod portion 424 of the at least two walllatches 220 a and 220 b, respectively. Accordingly, the at least twowall latch portions 606 a and 606 b are attached to the different wallsof the two walls (i.e., the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b) through thetwo wall latches 220 a and 220 b, respectively. Since the height of thetwo wall latches 220 a and 220 b, the one or more ribs 216 a and 216 b,and the supporting member 218 is same, therefore, the first end portion604 of the central portion 602 and the first end 622 of the at least twowall latch portions 606 a and 606 b are coplanar, when the forcedissipation member 222 is received by the first cover 118 of the housing106.

In an example embodiment, the force dissipation member 222 may bedetachably attached to the screw boss 210 a or may be fixedly attachedon the screw boss 210 a, without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. In an example scenario, where the force dissipation member222 is fixedly on the screw boss 210 a, the force dissipation member 222may be attached to the screw boss 210 a through adhesives or othercoupling means such as welding. Similarly, the at least two wall latchportions 606 a and 606 b may be fixedly or detachably attached to thetwo wall latches 220 a and 220 b, respectively.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the twowall latch portions 606 a and 606 b (on the force dissipation member222) attached to different walls of the two walls (i.e., the wall 206 aand the wall 206 b) through the at least two wall latches 220 a and 220b. In an alternate embodiment, the two wall latch portions 606 a and 606b may be directly attached to the different walls of the two walls(i.e., the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b). In such a scenario, the twowall latch portions 606 a and 606 b may be molded together with the twowalls (i.e., the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b).

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the second cover 120 of the housing106, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The secondcover 120 includes a second base plate 702 that has a first surface 704.The first surface 704 defines a plurality of through holes 706 a, 706 b,706 c, and 706 d proximate to a plurality of corners 708 a, 708 b, 708c, and 708 d of the second cover 120. In some examples, the second cover120 is configured to be disposed on top of the first cover 118 such thatthe plurality of through holes 706 a, 706 b, 706 c, and 706 d align withthe plurality of screw bosses 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d,respectively. More particularly, the plurality of through holes 706 a,706 b, 706 c, and 706 d may align with the recess 412 of each of theplurality of screw bosses 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d. In someexamples, further, the recess 412 of each of the plurality of screwbosses 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d is configured to receive screws(not shown) that pass through the plurality of through holes 706 a, 706b, 706 c, and 706 d, respectively, to couple the first cover 118 withthe second cover 120.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to thehousing 106 comprising the first cover 118 and the second cover 120. Inan example embodiment, the housing 106 may be composed of a singlecontiguous cover, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Insome examples, such cover may be manufactured using various knownmolding and 3D printing techniques.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary scenario 800 depicting dissipation offorce in the housing 106, according to one or more embodiments describedherein. In an example embodiment, when the force (depicted by arrow 802)acts on the corner 208 a (e.g., because of accidental dropping of thedevice 102), the force is transferred to the force dissipation member222 through the one or more ribs 216 a and 216 b (depicted by arrows 804and 806). More particularly, the force is transferred to the centralportion 602 of the force dissipation member 222. Thereafter, the forcegets distributed to the at least two wall latch portions 606 a and 606 bthrough the at least two arms 604 a and 604 b, respectively (depicted byarrows 808 and 810). Since the at least two wall latch portions 606 aand 606 b are attached to the different walls of the two walls (e.g.,the wall 206 a and the wall 206 b) through the one or more wall latches220 a and 220 b, the force is dissipated along the two walls (e.g., thewall 206 a and the wall 206 b) and away from the corner (depicted byarrows 812 and 814).

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to theforce dissipation member 222 being positioned in the housing 106 of thedevice 102. In an example embodiment, the force dissipation member 222may be installed in a casing apparatus for the device 102, as is furtherdescribed in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective of a casing apparatus 900 for thedevice 102, according to one or more embodiments described herein. Thecasing apparatus 900 includes a third cover 902 and a fourth cover 904.In an example embodiment, the structure of the third cover 902 may besimilar to the first cover 118 of the device 102. An example structureof the third cover 902 is further described in conjunction with FIG. 10.Further, an example structure of the fourth cover 904 is furtherdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 11.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective of the third cover 902 of the casingapparatus 900, according to one or more embodiments described herein. Inan example embodiment, similar to the first cover 118, the third cover902 defines the plurality of screw bosses 1006 a, 1006 b, 1006 c, and1006 d at plurality of corners 1008 a, 1008 b, 1008 c, and 1008 d of thethird cover 902. Further, similar to the first cover 118, the pluralityof corners 1008 a, 1008 b, 1008 c, and 1008 d are defined by a pluralityof walls 1002 a, 1002 b, 1002 c, and 1002 d of the third cover 902 ofthe casing apparatus 900.

In an example embodiment, each screw boss (e.g., 1006 a) of theplurality of screw bosses 1006 a, 1006 b, 1006 c, and 1006 d isconfigured to receive the force dissipation member 222. Additionally,the third cover 1002 defines a depression 1012 for receiving the device102, itself. Further, the third cover 1002 may receive additionalmechanical/electrical components that may interface with the device 102to enhance the capabilities of the device 102, in an instance in whichthe device 102 is received in the casing apparatus 900. For example, thethird cover 1002 may include another image capturing device 1010 thatmay be capable of scanning an indicium. When the device 102 is receivedin the casing apparatus 900, the device 102 may interface with the otherimage capturing device 1010 to, for example, scan the indicium.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the fourth cover 904 of thecasing apparatus 900, according to one or more embodiments describedherein. In an example embodiment, similar to the second cover 120 of thehousing 106, the fourth cover 904 defines one or more through holes 1102a, 1102 b, 1102 c, and 1102 d proximate to the plurality of corners 1104a, 1104 b, 1104 c, and 1104 d of the fourth cover 904, respectively. Insome examples, the fourth cover 904 may couple to the third cover 902 bymeans of screw passing through the one or more through holes 1102 a,1102 b, 1102 c, and 1102 d and the one or more corresponding screwbosses 1006 a, 1006 b, 1006 c, and 1006 d. Further, the fourth cover 904may define a void 1106 that may align with the depression 1012, in thethird cover 902, in an instance in which the fourth cover 904 coupleswith the third cover 902. In some examples, the void 1106 may facilitatereception of the device 102 within the depression 1012.

In some example embodiments, certain ones of the operations herein maybe modified or further amplified as described below. Moreover, in someembodiments additional optional operations may also be included. Itshould be appreciated that each of the modifications, optional additionsor amplifications described herein may be included with the operationsherein either alone or in combination with any others among the featuresdescribed herein.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although the figuresonly show certain components of the apparatus and systems describedherein, it is understood that various other components may be used inconjunction with the supply management system. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, the steps in the method described above may not necessarilyoccur in the order depicted in the accompanying diagrams, and in somecases one or more of the steps depicted may occur substantiallysimultaneously, or additional steps may be involved. Although specificterms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptivesense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A housing for a device comprising: a screw bossthat extends outwardly from a first base plate of the housing, whereinthe screw boss is proximate to a corner of the housing, the housingcomprising a plurality of wall portions defining the corner; a centralportion sized to detachably attach around the screw boss, wherein aninner surface of the central portion abuts an outer surface of the screwboss; and a plurality of arms each attached to the central portion, theplurality of arms comprising at least two arms attached to two differentwall portions of the plurality of wall portions.
 2. The housingaccording to claim 1, wherein the central portion and the plurality ofarms form a force dissipation member that dissipates a force received atthe corner along the plurality of arms and to the two different wallportions of the housing.
 3. The housing according to claim 1, whereinthe plurality of arms define a plurality of axes along which forcereceived at the corner is distributed.
 4. The housing according to claim1, the housing further comprising: at least one supporting memberattached to the screw boss and the first base plate.
 5. The housingaccording to claim 1, the housing further comprising: at least one ribattached to the screw boss and at least one wall portion of theplurality of wall portions; and at least one supporting member attachedto the screw boss and the at least one rib.
 6. The housing according toclaim 1, the housing further comprising: a first wall latch attached toa first wall portion of the two different wall portions, the first walllatch further attached a first arm of the at least two arms; and asecond wall latch attached to a second wall portion of the two differentwall portions, the second wall latch further attached to a second arm ofthe at least two arms, wherein the first wall latch is perpendicular tothe first wall portion and the second wall latch is perpendicular to thesecond wall portion.
 7. The housing according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of wall portions comprises a first external wall and a secondexternal wall.
 8. The housing according to claim 1, the housing furthercomprising: at least one supporting member attached to the screw bossand the first base plate, wherein the at least one supporting member isattached to the screw boss diagonally opposite the corner.
 9. Thehousing according to claim 1, the housing further comprising: at leastone supporting member attached to the screw boss and a first cover ofthe housing, wherein the at least one supporting member prevents thescrew boss from bending.
 10. The housing according to claim 1, whereinthe screw boss is attached to the central portion using coupling means.11. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines atleast one additional corner, each additional corner of the at least oneadditional corner associated with an additional force dissipationmember.
 12. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises a plurality of covers.
 13. The housing according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of wall portions defining the corner comprises afirst exterior wall perpendicular to a second exterior wall.
 14. Asystem comprising: a housing comprising: a screw boss that extendsoutwardly from a first base plate of the housing, wherein the screw bossis proximate to a corner of the housing, the housing comprising aplurality of wall portions defining the corner; a central portion sizedto detachably attach around the screw boss, wherein an inner surface ofthe central portion abuts an outer surface of the screw boss; and aplurality of arms each attached to the central portion, the plurality ofarms comprising at least two arms attached to two different wallportions of the plurality of wall portions; and circuitry configured toperform at least one operation.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein thesystem comprises a mobile device, a barcode scanner, an imager, or adimensioner.
 16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the screwboss, the central portion, and the plurality of arms form a forcedissipation member that dissipates a force received at the corner alongthe plurality of arms and to the two different wall portions of thehousing.
 17. The system according to claim 14, wherein a first arm ofthe at least two arms is attached along a first axis and a second arm ofthe at least two arms is attached along a second axis.
 18. A methodcomprising: receiving a force acting on a corner of a device, the devicecomprising a housing and a force dissipation member of the device,wherein the housing comprises a plurality of wall portions; transferringthe force from the corner of the device to the force dissipation memberof the device, the force dissipation member comprising a screw bossattached to a base plate of the housing, wherein the screw boss isproximate to the corner of the device; and redirecting the force fromthe force dissipation member along a plurality of arms to the pluralityof wall portions, the plurality of arms comprising at least two armsthat each redirect at least a portion of the force to two different wallportions of the plurality of wall portions, wherein the plurality ofarms are attached to a central portion attached around to the screwboss.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the force istransferred from the corner of the device to the force dissipationmember along one or more ribs attached to the force dissipation member.20. The method according to claim 18, wherein a first arm of the atleast two arms redirects at least a first portion of the force along afirst axis and a second arm of the at least two arms redirects at leasta second portion of the force along a second axis.